Cheese Lovers

Vegan cheese (sometimes known as 'Gary'!) gets better all the time. While vegan artisan cheeses are still pretty niche, they are on the cusp of moving into the mainstream. Home-made nut cheeses are pretty easy to make too and very tasty but if that's too much of an effort, there are plenty on offer in the supermarkets and health food shops! Bute Island generally make all of the supermarket own brands which currently supply a wide range for Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Ocado and occasionally Lidl. Here are some of our favourites but to be honest it was a tough job choosing as they're all really good now!

Best on bagels

The Tofutti cream cheeses are amazing! They come in a wide range of flavours and are available from most independents, online and now in some supermarkets. If you like cream cheese, also try Violife Creamy, Creamy Sheese, Tesco peppercorn cream cheese and Sainsbury's.

Best bit of blue

BlueRisella is soft, creamy, delicious and subtly 'blue'. It's available in some independents and online. Other blues we love are Violife, Bute Island and always Nutcrafter!

Best in burgers

Violife original slices are really good and can be enjoyed in a burger, sandwich or on their own! They can be found in some supermarkets, independents and online. Other good slices are Tofutti slices, Tesco Red Leicester slices and Sainsbury's Cheddar Style.

Best on crackers

Tesco Jalapeno & Chilli cheese alternative is delicious... team up with some chutney and it's the winning combo. Other ones we love are Sainsbury's Wensleydale Style with Cranberry and Sheese Cheddar Style Caramelised Onion.

Best 'Halloumi' style

Violife Mediterranean Style Block is a brilliant 'Halloumi' style... it doesn't melt when you heat it and has a full rich flavour. It tastes best when heated on a griddle! Our other favourite 'Halloumi' style is Nutcrafter Creamery's version... a truly incredible resemblance!

Best on pasta

Violife Prosociano Wedge is delicious... a solid, high quality block which can be grated or shaved onto pasta or anything else you fancy. Also can be used in cooking as a 'Parmesan' alternative. We also really like Vegusto No-Moo Piquant and Angel Food Parmesan Alternative.

Best on pizza

Love MozzaRisella... it melts really well and tastes amazing! Find it in lots of independents and online. We also really like Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds, Violife Original, Violife Mozzarella Grated and Sheese Greek Style (sounds strange but it melts really well and tastes great!)... there's also a Sainsbury's version of this one.

Best bit of posh

Nutcrafter Creamery is the hands down winner! Every cheese in their range is top quality, super delicious and exactly as described. Buy straight from their website.

Best on a Shepherd's Pie

Sainsbury's Greek Style... an unusual choice but melts so well and tastes really nice - also sold by Tesco and Bute Island (Sheese). We also really like Veganic Pizza Melty.

Best in a toastie

We love Sheese Strong Cheddar Style... full of flavour, easy to find and melts really well! We also really like Violife Organic Slices along with Sheese and Tesco Smoked Cheddar!

Related Resources

Everyone's Going Dairy-Free — Guide

All you need to know about going dairy-free, including how to shop and cook!

Why You Don't Need Dairy — Guide

The definitive, go-to guide about all the reasons for going dairy-free.

Going Dairy-Free Super Pack

Going dairy-free has never been so easy! This colourful pack is bursting with juicy information, tips and recipes and will help you ditch dairy for good.

Boning up on Calcium — Factsheet

All you need to know about calcium and where to get it!

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